Electric snap-switc



(No Model.) 7 2 Sheets-S heet 1.

e. W. HART.

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITGH.

No. 459,706. Patented Sept. 15, 1891,

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GERALD IV. HART, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGE S. HEGEMAN, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC SNAP-SW|TCl-j SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,706, dated September 15, 1891.

Applicationfiled June 22, 1891. Serial No. 397,026. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GERALD IV. HART, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri,haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Snap-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electric snap-switches; and the objects of my improvements are simplicity and economyin construction and general efficiency and certainty in operation.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my switch. Fig. 2 is a plan view of portions of the same, the central part being shown in horizontal section on the line at x of Fig. 1, said figure and the following -figures being on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a like view of the same with the parts in a different position. Fig. 4 is a reverse planview of the spring-plate. Fig. 5 is a plan View of the switch-plate. Fig. 6 is a plan View of the stop-plate. Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line it) w, Fig. 2. Fig. 8

is a side elevation of my switch in a somewhat modified form, the base-block and-contact-post being omitted. Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line 1 y of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a horizontal section on the linezz of Fig. 8,

0 and Fig. 11 is a plan view of the stop-plate.

A designates the base-block, to which the stationarycontact-posts 12 and stop-plate 13 are affixed. In the center of the stop-plate 13 I secure the central hub 14 in any proper n1anneras, forinstance, by means of a screw 15, as shown in Fig. 7the stop-plate 13 being secured to the base A by means of screws 16 and provided with four stop-shoulders 'c at equal distances apart. The upper end of 40 this hub is provided with an operating-handle 17, which maybe screwed in or otherwise. connected thereto.

' To the upper end of the hub 1% I secure a cap-plate 18, and a short distance therefrom I secure the spring-plate 19, both of said plates being rigidly secured to the central hub 14: in any proper 1nanneras, for instance, by soldering or riveting. The springplate has rigidly connected with it the eccen- 5o tric 20, Figs. 4 and 7,thc position of whichis indicated in broken lines in Figs. 2 and 3, and also a stud 21, against which one end of the spring 22 acts. It is also provided with a slot, as at 23, through which passes the stud 24, against which the opposite end of the spring acts. The spring lies between the capplate and spring-plate.

The switch-plate B is provided with a round opening to one side of its center for receiving the eccentric 20, said switch-plate working between the spring-plate and the stop-plate. This switch-plate is also provided with moving contact-pieces 25 for engagement with the stationary contacts, with a catch 26, for engaging the stop-shoulder of the stop-plate 13, and the stud or pin 24, before referred to, as passingthrough the slot 23 and acted upon by the spring 22.

By turning the handle 17 in the direction indicated by the dart in Fig. 2 the central 7c hub and parts rigidly connected therewith move with it, carrying the eccentric and spring-pin 21 from the position shown in Fig.

2 to that shown in Fig. 3, thereby compressing the spring and also moving the switchplate laterally, thereby carrying the catch 26 radially outward to withdraw it from one of the stop-shoulders of the stop-plate. The parts in Fig. 3 are represented as almost ready to be thus disengaged. As the central hub is moved onward, the catch 26 is wholly withdrawn from the stop-shoulder of the stopplate, so as to release the switch-plate and permit it to snap around under the full force of the spring 22, its movement being arrested as the catch 26 comes in contact withthe succeeding stop-shoulder on the stop-plate. Vv'hen the switch-plate thus moves nearly one-quarter of a revolution on its axis, the central hub is relatively stationary, so that the eccentric 20 becomes for the time being the axis of the switch-plate, and consequently the catch 26 is drawn radiallyinward toward the central hub as the switch-plate advances, and is stopped by the succeeding stop-shoulder. By turning the handle again the parts will operate as before, and the switch-plate will be stopped at the next quarterof a revolution on the succeeding stop-shoulder, whereby the moving contact-pieces are brought roo into or out of contact with the stationary contact-pieces, as in ordinary switches of this class.

The modification shown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, has the same generic features and mode of operation. Its stop-plate 133 has its stopshoulders c 0 formed in upwardly-projecting lugs instead of shoulders upon the outer edge of the plate. This is for the purpose of enabling the catch to pass on the inside of said stop-shoulders and to be disengaged therefrom by drawing it radially inward instead of outward. The central hub 111 has the eccentric 200 rigidly formed or attached to it, while the spring-plate 180 is rigidly secured to the upperend of said hub. This spring-plate carries a spring-stud 211, that passes through a slot in the switch-plate B I3. This switch-plate is centrally pivoted on the central hub instead of being eccentrically mounted thereon.

Upon the eccentric 200 I mount a catchplate 27, having a catch 266, and a spring-stud 214, that passes up through a hole in the switch-plate, and which stud receives one end of the spring 22, while the other end bears against the stud 211.

The operation is substantially the same as before described. Turning the operatinghandle carries the spring-plate and its stud 311. .to compress the spring, and also turns the eccentric to gradually withdraw the catch from one of the stop-shoulders, upon which withdrawal the spring acts through the stud 214, that passes through the switch-plate, to carry said switchplate one-quarter of a revolution. The switch-plate is stopped by the catch 206 engaging the succeeding stop-shoulder on the stop-plate as said catch is forced outwardly under the action of the eccentric.

\Vhile I prefer to use the stop-plate with the stop-shoulders 0, formed by notches in the edge of said plate, and to force the catch radially outward, as first described, it is evident that I could use the construction first described with a stop-plate like that shown in Fig. 11 by merely forming the catch 26 on the switch-plate diametrically opposite the position shown in full lines-as, for instance, as indicated by broken lines at d in Fig. 5-by means of which change the catch would on the first movement of the handle and eccentric be moved radially inward instead. of outwardly. In both of the constructions shown the catch is moved radially outward and inward by the positive movement of the eccen' tric. The construction is simple, efficient, and certain in operation.

Having indicated certain changes in the application of this eccentric or crank-pin for engaging and disengaging the catch,it is evident that other changes may be readily devised and still embody the general feature of my switch.

I claim as my invention- 1. The herein-described snap-switch, consisting of a stop-plate having stop-shoulders, a central hub, and operating-handle, an cecentric moving with said hub, aswitclrplate, a spring-plate, a spring, and a catch operated by said eccentric for releasing and stopping the switch-plate, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

2. In a snap-switch, the combination of a central hub, an eccentric and spring-plate car ried by said hub, the spring-plate having a stud for engagement with the spring, the switch-plate mounted on said eccentric and having a spring-stud 2t and catch 20, the spring 22, engaging said spring-studs, and the stop-plate having the stop-shoulders, substantially as described, and for the purpose specitied.

GERALD W. HART.

.Vitnesses'.

JAMES SHEPARD, C. A. SHEPARD. 

